der Messenger
messenger
A software application or online service for exchanging instant messages.
EXAMPLE
Schick mir die Adresse bitte per Messenger, nicht per E-Mail.
Please send me the address by messenger, not by email.
der Messenger
messenger
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Meanings
der Messenger
messenger
A messenger or courier who delivers a message or shipment. This meaning is rare in German and is mostly found in English-language contexts.
EXAMPLE
Ein Fahrrad-Messenger brachte die dringenden Unterlagen ins Büro.
A bike messenger brought the urgent documents to the office.
Usage tips
English loanword
'Messenger' is a word from English that is firmly established in German. It is pronounced as in English and almost always refers to an app for instant messages.
EXAMPLE
Welchen Messenger benutzt du am liebsten?
Which messenger do you like using best?
Typical collocations
When referring to the app, the preposition 'per' (by/via) or 'über' (through/via) is often used. Typical phrases are 'per Messenger schicken' (to send by messenger), 'über den Messenger schreiben' (to write via the messenger), or 'eine Nachricht im Messenger bekommen' (to get a message in the messenger).
EXAMPLE
Ich schicke dir die Fotos später über den Messenger.
I'll send you the photos later via the messenger.
Rare meaning
The meaning 'Bote' (messenger) or 'Kurier' (courier) is extremely rare in German. You will almost only hear or read it when people are talking about the English-speaking world, for example about bike couriers in U.S. cities.
EXAMPLE
In dem Film arbeitet die Hauptfigur als Messenger in New York.
In the film, the main character works as a messenger in New York.
Compare with
Messenger vs Kurier
courier
In German, Kurier is the usual term for a person or service that transports an urgent shipment directly. Messenger can also refer to such a messenger, but this meaning is rare and usually influenced by English. Use „Kurier“ in normal German usage.
Messenger
Im englischsprachigen Film überbrachte der Messenger die Nachricht persönlich.
In the English-language film, the messenger delivered the message in person.
Kurier
Der Kurier brachte die wichtigen Dokumente noch am selben Tag direkt zum Empfänger.
The courier delivered the important documents directly to the recipient that same day.
In real life
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